You want to eat healthily and treat your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit but, let’s be honest, it’s hard. What you need is the power of the Word of God to get you started. These Bible verses about healthy eating will fuel your efforts to eat for the glory of God!
Walking into the church, I saw them out of the corner of my eye, again. I sighed– “Aren’t we The Body of Christ? Why do we eat foods that make us sick, tired, and even ineffective in ministry?”
Let’s face it. In the church, the frequent appearance of unhealthy food is an unspoken problem. Sure, we all know we “should” be eating better but then we don’t. It’s not that we don’t want to, it’s that we don’t want to enough.
Are you struggling to put your faith in your food choices? These Bible verses about eating healthy will help you apply the Word to your efforts by asking you the right questions…
Is it about what we eat? Should you eat a donut? What about the church potluck?
As you’ll see, if we put first thing first–God will direct our eating so it glorifies Him. And, when He has given us the instruction through these scriptures on healthy eating, He provides the power to carry it out.
10 Bible Verses About Healthy Eating
The Bible is full of wisdom and guidance for every part of our lives. We can trust God’s Word in everything–including in making the best food choices for you. Use these Bible verses about food and health to guide you into new food freedom you haven’t experienced before!
1. Genesis 1:29 (NLT) Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.”
From the beginning, God made us with appetites to be filled. He created us to need His provision. Here we see how He has given us nutrient-dense plant foods. If this was His original plan, we would be wise to honor our health by eating plenty of plants (fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes)!
2. John 6:35 (ESV) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Have you ever had an insatiable hunger? You know, the kind that sneaks up on you after a busy day of forgotten meals? When our stomachs are begging for food, it is ALL we can think about.
Have you ever had an insatiable hunger and yet not been physically hungry? Trying to fill that empty void with food will only deprive us of good health–both physically and spiritually. Jesus has promised us that He can FILL that void, no food required. But, we need to ask.
You can learn how to eat only when hungry when your spirit is quenched.
3. 1 Timothy 4:4 (NLT) Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.
Everything God created is good, period. Filling your plate with whole, unprocessed foods is His design. However, this verse tells us that whether we are eating a hot dog at a ball game or a green smoothie, we need to do so with a heart of thanksgiving.
If you feel guilty about eating certain foods or you have no self-control around them, your heart is probably not overflowing with gratitude (in that moment). Put on an attitude of gratitude in the moments of temptation and watch how the mindset change can turn your struggles around!
4. 3 John 1:2 (NLT) Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.
To thrive spiritually is our first order of business. When our bodies, our values, and our ravenous appetites are surrendered to the Spirit, we will make choices that lead to greater health.
5. 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT) You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
God has told us “all things” are good. However, with freedom comes responsibility. While we could sustain ourselves on cookies and chips, would it be beneficial? While we could live off sweets and treats, would those foods become our “master”?
The decision about what is “healthy” has to do with more than just the nutrition facts label and even how to eat less sugar.
6. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Our eating choices are about temple care. In the Old Testament, God gave explicit instructions for the masterful construction and occupancy of the temple. No cost was too great, no detail too small.
Now, the Holy Spirit resides in us and we are that temple. When choosing how to eat better, consider the One who resides within you. Then, pray for the strength to honor those convictions.
7. John 6:27 (NLT) “But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.“
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to the crowd who followed after Him, seeking His provisions rather than His person. They had missed the mark. I have too…
In my life, there’ve been times where I spent much of my time preoccupied with what I would (or wouldn’t) eat. Healthy food, “junk food,” the avoidance of food–any absorption outside of God can deplete the precious energy we could spend seeking after eternal things.
8. Daniel 1: 8, 15 (NLT) But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.
At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.
Daniel knew the boundaries that God had given him and he stuck by them, even when his life was possibly at stake. He looked past the delicacies and immediate pleasure and chose to be uncomfortable “now” for the sake of obedience. And, God blessed him richly for it.
We would also be wise to look beyond the next bite, next minute, or next hour to focus on how we want to feel when we lay our heads down at night. Regret far outweighs the fleeting taste of food.
9. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV) But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
You’re here because you want to eat healthily– You want to make choices that honor God with your body! But, what is the whole purpose of “good health”?
While having a strong body is of great personal benefit, it is also of great value to the Kingdom of God. When we are well, we can DO well. When we eat like a trashcan, we produce trash. It’s that simple.
In this verse, Paul saw his efforts to be disciplined were to qualify him, to strengthen him, to live out God’s calling on his life.
10. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT) Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
What can defile your body and spirit? Certain foods, large amounts of food, and large portions of certain foods can certainly defile our bodies, leaving our health and happiness at stake.
In the same way, certain attitudes, mindsets, and “so glad no one can hear that!” thoughts can defile our spirits.
When it comes to making healthy food choices, consider both your physical and spiritual health.
How You Can Use These Bible Verses About Healthy Eating
So, what do you do with all this insight from these Bible verses about healthy eating? It is important to put these verses into practice! We want to move past simply hearing the Word to DOING the Word (James 1:22-25).
- Download the Bible Verses About Healthy Eating devotional cards below and print them out (ideally on cardstock).
- Cut out the scriptures about healthy eating cards and place them around your home. Toss one in your wallet, tape one to the bathroom mirror, and definitely attach one to your fridge and/or kitchen cabinets.
- When temptation hits, grab your Bible verses about healthy eating cards and flee the scene! Remove yourself from the temptation and pray that God will strengthen you. Then crowd out those food thoughts with the verse!
Looking for more? Check out these 10 Bible Verses posts:
- 10 Bible Verses About Food
- 10 Bible Verses About Overeating
- 10 Bible Verses About Self Control
- 10 Bible Verses for Weight Loss
Brandice Lardner is a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Amazon #1 Best Selling Author, Homeschool Mom, and Jesus Girl whose mission in life is to help women ditch the diet mentality and find peace with food and their bodies so that they are better equipped to do the great things God has called them to do.
Dear Brandice. Thank you for the verses above. I LOVE the example Daniel gave! Would you happen to have more resources, suggestions on how to deal with in-laws that have bad eating habits and have arthritis/chronic inflammation running in their family, with my father in law and his sister having had a stroke and a knee replacement surgery, my mother in law a knee replacement surgery, my sister in law (45) a knee replacement surgery, my father in law’s father passed away with dementia and other health issues in their family, like for ex. Autism ? They are Christians but they don’t have much knowledge or willingness to eat healthy. I started eating healthy after my mother and grandmother passed away from cancer about 15 years ago – that was my wakeup call. I have a 5 year old son, who has never eaten candy, milk chocolate or other sugar containing foods ( he LOVES 95% cocoa – dark chocolate and fruit – fresh and dried as dessert ) or refined flours, only whole foods and has praise God never been to a doctor. I see the correlation between healthy eating and my son’s health but my husband’s family does not – they think “he’s just a healthy child”. I was able to bring my dad on board, my brother and his family eat clean, whole foods so it’s no problem visiting or enjoying meals with them. We will soon be moving into a situation where my husband’s large family will be close ( they live in different country ) and we’ll most likely spend time with them “around the table/food”. My child is very well behaved, doesn’t have any “sugar spikes – behavior”. I have seen how children act out after eating sugar. I want to keep training him up to eat healthy without any interference from my in-laws regarding food. I believe consistency has been key and my son actually “learns the lessons’ I teach him about healthy eating but I’m worried once he gets around people that constantly praise unhealthy food and only look at the taste of food will have a bad influence on him. How would you suggest dealing with a situation like this ? I don’t want to hurt their feelings but I’m also not willing to give up my way of giving him the best start in life he can have regarding his health. My husband cares about health but he just doesn’t want to hurt feelings. I many times tried to tell his family about healthy eating and how that could keep them from heaving so many health issues but they just kind of shrug it off always. Thanks again and God bless! Willow
Hi Willow! Thank you for filling me in on your family. I feel your pain– having my daughter exposed to foods we don’t normally eat was HARD for me. It’s been a real process and, for me, I’ve decided that my priority is to help her have a healthy relationship with food– I don’t want her to have food baggage as I’ve had. I think labeling foods as good and bad can do that. Rather, thinking of “sometimes foods” and “strengthening foods” (or whatever speaks to your little guy. We’ve decided to allow these foods, occasionally. Sometimes she says the food is too sweet, sometimes she takes a few bites and leaves, and sometimes she has it all and turns to a sugar spike monster. Then, I have an honest conversation with her about what happened. It sounds like this exposure to those foods will be much more frequent than we have. Maybe check out this site. I really like the way she balances nutrition with helping our kids have a healthy relationship with food: https://maryannjacobsen.com/how-to-raise-a-mindful-eater/
Hello Brandice,
I’m just starting (again) on my journey and attempt to lose weight. I am at my heaviest ever (but thankfully still under seeing 300 on the scale… and I want to keep it that way)
I have a journey partner this time, a wonderful friend God brought into my life when I started attending a new church a few years ago. We will help, encourage, support each other and give each other some grace if/when we blow it.
I admitted to her this time that I had never actually brought God into my past weight loss and healthy lifestyle attempts and this time it landed on me that that was something I must do.
So in my quick google search I found this post and see that you also have others here that I will endeavor to go through also as I move ahead.
Thank you for the bible verses… will be looking at those very closely. I will be checking in to see what else God may have for me through your knowledge and training.
So glad you’re here, Fern! This is a great post to get started with too: https://gracefilledplate.com/christian-weight-loss/ Please reach out if you have any questions!